A six-year, $8 million program designed to improve cyber safety amongst Australian consumers has been launched by the Telstra Foundation and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. The foundations will develop the cyber safety education program, eSmart Libraries, and work with Australia’s 1500 public libraries to educate communities around the country about cyber safety.

Public libraries were chosen to deliver the program. According to The Alannah and Madeline Foundation chief executive, Dr. Judith Slocombe, many sectors of the community rely on their library for computer use and Internet access. “Over 54 per cent of Australians are members of libraries which are regarded as central places for community members to learn and ask questions,” she said in a statement.

This new cyber safety program is an extension ofeSmart Schools, which The Alannah and Madeline Foundation has made available to all Australian schools since 2011 in an attempt to tackle cyber bullying. According to Slocombe, more than 1400 schools have adopted eSmart, with more schools coming on board every week.